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Protecting Our Children: Notes in Transition
Salem Presbytery last year adopted a child protection policy and also voted to require that every congregation adopt such a policy.
The Book of Order
also requires that such a policy be in place. I urge congregational leaders to review their policies and consider the extent to which they have implemented them. The priority is protection of our children. As an aspect of this review, you might also check your church's liability coverage to determine its requirements with regard to background checks for all who work with children and youth, staff and volunteers in Christian education programs, youth ministry, and child care, from Sunday morning nurseries to weekday child care. It is also recommended that you review what the response of leaders in your congregation would be should an allegation be reported by a child, a youth, a parent, or by local authorities.
The presbytery's policy is available at the link below and may be adapted by congregations for their own use.
I am prompted to urge this review by the experience of one of our congregations, whose leaders have been faithful in preparation but have still had to deal with the aftermath of a serious breach of policy, first discovered through a contact from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. It's the sort of call no pastor wants to get; it's a concern we want no child to be affected by nor any family.
In Salem Presbytery we support our congregations and one another as we consider shared needs and seek to respond faithfully.
Grace and peace!
Steve Scott
Transitional General Presbyter
Salem Presbytery's Child Protection Policy
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Mark Calendars and Elect Commissioners to Our Fall Stated Meeting
Salem Presbytery next meets on Tuesday, November 12, at First Presbyterian Church of High Point. I want to call the meeting to you attention as we have heard an occasional complaint that members of churches did not have sufficient notice. The calendar is publicized well in advance; in fact, you can look at our website to see dates projected for 2020.
If you are a member, please plan to attend. In our ordination vows we promise to take part in the work of councils of the church. Sessions need to elect commissioners and see that they attend. Important decisions continue to lie before the presbytery as we implement the restructure approved last February. A proposed budget for 2020 is being presented at the stated meeting. An implementation team is at work; the search committee for a new presbyter for administration is receiving resumés and will soon be deeply engaged in its task.
Plan to participate. Continue to be in prayer for Salem Presbytery, its staff, and our future direction.
Steve Scott
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GA Stated Clerk Calls for Prayer
General Assembly Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson has issued a call to prayer about concerns and issues that lie before our church and before the country, from political concerns that occupy our leaders, to the plight of the Kurdish people and others in Syria in the aftermath of the withdrawal of U.S. forces, to those in the Caribbean who struggle to recover from hurricanes, the most recent that struck the Bahamas and the one two years ago that still afflicts Puerto Rico.
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Serve on a Presbytery Committee
The Committee on Representation, acting as the Presbytery's Nominating Committee, meets this Friday to begin staffing a new class of Presbytery committees. Live into your vow of serving the larger church by offering yourself for service on one of the committees - or by seeking other ministers, CREs, and Ruling Elders for service. Submit nominations to Laurie Scott at the link below.
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Update on Administrative Presbyter Search
Salem Presbytery has begun the search for an Administrative Presbyter as outlined in the Dream Team proposal approved in February. We are receiving Professional Information Forms at this time, so if you sense a possible call to this very important position in the life and ministry of Salem Presbytery, you can review the Ministry Information Form by going to the Church Leadership Connection website at the link below. You can also access the MIF through the Salem Presbytery website at the link below.
If your PIF is active on CLC, you can self-refer through that channel, or send your PIF directly to Randy Harris or Penny Hedrick (see links below), co-moderators of the search committee. Cut-off date for receiving PIF's is October 27th. If you do not feel called to this position but know of someone who might be, please let them know that now is the time to reach out to the search committee.
Administrative Presbyter MIF (on CLC)
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Pastors at the River: Oral Histories of Faith and Courage
Wednesday, October 23 / First Presbyterian Greensboro
Come and hear stories unknown to many of us about the faith and courage of Presbyterian pastors in the Deep South who took risky stances in confronting racial inequities and injustices from 1958 to 1968. Joining us will be Carolyn Crowder, a retired psychologist who grew up in Auburn, Ala., and now lives in Montreat. She is creating a documentary called "At the River," focused on 11 pastors who because of their faith and convictions stood up to injustices and were scorned or threatened.
Let us know if you plan to attend so that we can choose the best setting for the number attending. Come for one session or for all.
Contact Debby Foster at the link below. or at 336.478.4702
10 AM-NOON
John Kuykendall, former Davidson College president, and Wallace Alston
NOON-1:30
Lunch (provided with RSVP/on your own)
1:30-4 PM
Tom Engle; Sally Richardson, daughter of Dr. Richard Gillespie; Robert Miller; Bob Walkup; and Phil Noble
5 PM
Fellowship supper, Mullin Life Center. $8, RSVP
6-7:30 PM
Vernon Hunter & Eade Anderson, former FPC interim pastors, and Dick Harbison, whose witness in Canton, Miss., influenced our current interim, Danny Massie
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The Wee Kirk Conference is at Montreat October 21 - 23. Good reviews always attend this conference with inspiration and ideas for those who serve and minister in smaller churches. Registration and meals cost $155. If you would like to take advantage of an offer of sponsored housing, contact Laura Spangler at 336.784.1293.
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Disposing of Unwanted Resources?
If you need to rid yourself of materials you or your church no longer needs, please do not bring them to the presbytery office. As our realtor shows the listing, as the staff has downsized, and as we prepare to move, we do not have the capacity to steward such donations.
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Salem Online Resources
Have you acquainted yourself with our online directory? Please take advantage of this handy resource, to which you have access through the Salem Presbytery website. As our staff grows smaller, and as fewer are available to answer the phone, you will find this directory easier to use (password = clemmons3950) than calling the presbytery to get phone numbers and email addresses of committee members or others you want to be in touch with.
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Oak Ridge Celebrates 25 Years!
Oak Ridge Presbyterian is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. We are having a 25th Anniversary Celebration in worship on Sunday, November 3 at 10am. Rev. Dr. Robert Evans is preaching.
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October Prayers for:
Property Committee
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The Book of Common Worship, Flash Drive Edition
The Book of Common Worship, Flash Drive Edition (Single-User License)* is now available! $50.
This helpful resource contains electronic files from the Book of Common Worship to make worship planning and bulletin preparation easier and more effective. The flash drive contains a PDF file with extensive links to chapters, sections, and individual services that allow for easier reading, searching, and browsing. This edition also contains Microsoft Word files for each of the services and commentaries found in the Book of Common Worship. Services are arranged in separate files for the ease of bulletin creation and copying and pasting.
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Mission Leaders In Salem Presbytery
Salem Presbytery is compiling a list of "Mission Leaders" in each of our congregations. We seek contact information for mission committee chairs, mission coordinators (staff or volunteer), or those excited about the mission of the church. Click the link below to add your info.
Add Your Information Here
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Become a Peace and Justice Church!
Become and Peace and Justice church! Let your Salem Presbytery Peace and Justice Task Force help, inspire, equip, and send you on a journey. Contact Frank Dew at the link below.
Email Frank Dew
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2019 Prayer Calendar
Click the link below for the 2019 Prayer Calendar for Congregations and Ministries of Salem Presbytery.
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Other Special Events
45th National Black Presbyterian Caucus Convention and
Mid-Atlantic APCE Retreat are among the things you don't want to miss.
Deadline to register is coming soon.
Are you hosting a special event *(concert, speaker, training, etc.) at a time OTHER than on Sunday morning worship? Submit your event through the link below to be included on our SPECIAL EVENTS Calendar.
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Meeting Calendar Available
Don't forget to use our Calendar of Meetings for planning your 2019 monthly agenda.
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Hunger Action
Become a Hunger Action Congregation! Check the links below for more info.
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Church Anniversaries
If your congregation is celebrating a significant anniversary (25, 50, 75, 100, etc.), please let the presbytery office know.
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Board of Pensions Call to Health
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PCUSA News and Announcements
Click below for the latest news and announcements from the PCUSA.
PCUSA News
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Salem Presbytery | PO Box 1753, 3950 Clemmons Rd., Clemmons NC 27012
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